It’s time to get real—that is,
real, do-it-yourself horse training. Professional trainer Sean Patrick has
created the ultimate guide to the “complete” riding horse—whether a performance,
working, or “just for fun” prospect. Quite simply, you begin at Lesson Number 33
and count your way down through the basic exercises—the “primary
education”—every horse needs. And when you get to Lesson 1, you’ve done it;
you’ve prepared your horse for advanced work in any number of equestrian
disciplines. You can’t get lost along the way. There’s no room for confusion.
Sean clarifies the point and explains the gist of every step. The happy result?
He trains you to be a trainer.

Whether your horse is a foal or five, guilelessly green or imperfectly veteran,
he will benefit from the Countdown—a true “foundation” program, serving to
prepare him for the endless variety of activities and “jobs” horses perform
today. From indispensable handling, “sacking-out,” and tying exercises, to how
you, the rider, can control the different parts of the horse’s body from the
ground and the saddle; from mounting on both the left and the right to
performing flawless flying lead changes, you’ll be amazed at how effective and
efficient this program is.

“Sean Patrick has written a remarkably
insightful book. It is well organized, with incredibly easy-to-follow steps
that should lead to a very well-started horse that can excel in any riding
event. Where was this book 25 years ago, when many of us were first
struggling to start our horses with more ‘thoughtful’ methods?” –Sandy Collier, world champion trainer of
reined cow horses and author of Reining Essentials: How to Excel in
Western’s Hottest Sport

"In The
Countdown to Broke, Sean Patrick offers an easy-to-follow training
course with just the right amount of theory tucked in. It's a thoughtful and
well-crafted addition to natural horsemanship literature. You're going to
like this guy!"—Rick Lamb, host of TV and radio’s “The Horse Show,” and
author of The Revolution in Horsemanship (with Dr. Robert M.
Miller) and Human to Horseman

"The
Modern Horseman's Countdown to Broke is a true masterpiece in the world
of horse training. All horses are different in age, experience, temperament,
and abilities, and Sean has done a wonderful job in giving horse owners the
knowledge base to achieve the results they need by understanding the
sequence of steps that will work for each individual horse, without
gimmicks. After Sean explains it, it just makes sense! An exceptional book!”—Susan Gibson, Publisher, Trail Blazer Magazine

"
I have never seen a book this meticulous in providing step-by-step
instruction… If you follow the Countdown as it is laid out, and do exactly
as Sean recommends, you cannot mess this up—you are going to end up with a
sane, well-trained horse.!”— Dr. Robert M. Miller, Father of Imprint Training and
author of Imprint Training of the Newborn Foal; A Revolution in
Horsemanship; and Natural Horsemanship Explained

SEAN PATRICK began his thoughtful examination of horses and
horsemanship as a high-country guide in the west Chilcotin Region of British
Columbia, Canada. There he guided international clientele into the rugged
mountains of the Pacific Coastal Range for weeklong pack excursions, led fly
anglers on the Chilko River and Lake, and escorted big game hunters into the
alpine on horseback. Sean completed his degree at Trent University in
Peterborough, Canada, as well as his Horseshoeing Certificate from Oklahoma
Horseshoeing School in Purcell. He furthered his studies by training with John
Lyons in Parachute, Colorado, where he met his wife, Alisha. Sean now runs a
horse training business focusing on performance training, colt starting, and
horsemanship instruction, and is a Senior Contributor for Trail Blazer
Magazine. He lives in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.